INDUSTRIAL CENTRES OF HOPE

India is a nation at a crossroads. It enjoys a booming economy, with GDP growing at more than 8%. Young people (who constitute 40% of the population) have never had more opportunities. Many find themselves earning more today at age 25 than their parents do right now at age 50+. But there is another India. An India that earns less than $1 per person, per day. An India where young people often never go to school, or drop out early, because they have to help support their families.

Practical experience has shown that education courses just 4-6 months in length can boost the earnings of trainees by 100% or more. In the long term, empowerment through better education is a fantastic strategy, boosting income and the quality of work of children who have been given a caring, English-medium education.

Since education is a priority for HOPE worldwide, the establishment of the Industrial Centre of HOPE is a great opportunity for imparting skills to the under-privileged. Barely literate undereducated workers do not know how to respectfully communicate expectations to their bosses-and the bosses sometimes do not have the "soft skills" to treat their employees with dignity. Industrial Centres of HOPE, set up in industrial areas, can make a difference in these areas.

HOPE worldwide has extensive education and vocational education experience, including teaching social skills (in its schools and training centres). Five centres in communities full of factory workers have been set up at

1. Bangalore
2. Chennai
3. Mumbai
4. Moradabad
5. Panipat.

The 5 centres will help young people from the area through vocational training (including
Spoken English, computer training and "soft skills" training). Training is tailored to the needs of nearby factories and modules will be developed in consultation with local companies. The children of factory workers will be educated or tutored in an English medium school.